Cholesterol

[Peri]

Hi there - Type 2 diagnosed in June 2015.

I had my annual check up yesterday. My HbA1c has come down from 63 to 42 after following LCHF and I've lost 3.5 stone (a total of 5.5 stone since diagnosis). I'm on 2000 mg of slow release Metformin taken once a day (in the morning).

However, my cholesterol is climbing: 4.6 in 2015, 5.2 in 2016 and now 5.6.

The nurse wants me to go onto statins. As she was running late and I had somewhere else to be, I've had to rebook my appointment for next week. She is very much of the opinion that a low fat diet is the right way to go. I wholeheartedly disagree - LCHF is the only diet that has worked for me - and just as importantly helps me to control my sugars. I do fingerprick - which is something else she disagrees with...

I want to be able to go back next week armed with good information, but I am concerned that my cholesterol is climbing - particularly the LDL element.

Any thoughts?

 

[Guzzler]

When you are actively losing weight this can upset the balance of cholesterol levels but usually settles down after a while.
Do you have the breakdown of your HDL Triglycerides etc? Total cholesterol tells you little about what is going on. If not, at the next appointment ask for a printout of your test results then come back and members will be able to say if they are good, bad or indifferent.

And lastly, it is your choice whether or not to accept the advice of a HCP and it is, ultimately, your decision.
Good luck and well done on your numbers!

 

[Pinkorchid]

You have to make your own mind up about statins we are not medically qualified here to advise you to take or not take any medication. Only you will know if they suit you or not.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I agree with @Guzzler . Before any decision is made you need to analyse the breakdown of your lipids as they are more important than just the total (which actually isn't important at all)

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Make sure your test is a fasting test as it affects the results. Then, largely ignore the Total level and look at all the ratios. These should be used to guide you in whether you might need statins. Your nurse is taking the Government line ref low-fat and many of us realise it's not based on good science. If you decide to start statins, start on a low dose and increase it if needed at the next test. Some GPs just go for a high dose automatically. If you get muscle pains etc then consider stopping the statins.

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

LCHF is the only diet that has worked for me

How about just low carb. I can't do high fat especially after I was advised by my GP that I didn't eat enough so I increased my intake of cheese and yoghurt (fat). Not only did I rapidly gain 10 kgs but my total cholesterol went from 4 to 5.6.

Don't forget that nobody can be forced to take statins, NICE guidelines mention something about getting the patient's agreement. Have they actually done a QRISK3 (google it and try it at home).

 

[Peri]

Thank you for the advice - I'll ask for the printout and let you know

 

[Peri]

You have to make your own mind up about statins we are not medically qualified here to advise you to take or not take any medication. Only you will know if they suit you or not.

Thank you - I am not asking for medical advice. I just don't know anything about statins and was interested to see if anyone else had a similar experience/results to me.